Simon V Posted July 19, 2004 Author Posted July 19, 2004 Strange the way that most of the anti-PM diatribe seems to come from Elise/Exige owners. Why do we think that is? Do you consider PM's engineering staff incapable of dealing with new technology or something? Is there a problem with the shop front staff? Or perhaps the aftersales? Or is there too much bias towards the older traditional models perhaps? Interested in your thoughts...
Scott_Mac Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 I have had one dealing with them on a "new" car... that was an Elise i was looking at, it was listed as being one thing, but in reality was very different. The shop staff are wonderful, i have no dealing with the engineering work... With regard to the older cars - as in my +2 - they seem to be excellent.
JohnnyM Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 bought my first s1 elise from there. chopped in my Racing Puma for it, was made to feel like they were doing me a favour selling me a car. Apparently you get a three month warranty if anything serious goes wrong. I complained about the handling and they had the car off me for a day, it came back exactly the same, but with the smell of WD40 in the interior ! Took it to NW a couple of weeks later, apparently the geo was miles out and one of the rear track rods was bent. When the entire NS wing mirror got kicked off they said one was on order. I waited 6 weeks and then got bored of waiting, took it to NW who had one fitted for me the next day. Sure they know they're stuff on the older cars else they wouldnt have been going this long and with the good reputation they have with them. I trusted that being a small specialist they would make sure the cars they sell are in good order. I will never make that mistake again. Johnny M
Mark A Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 Simon, Big problem I have with PM is the way you get treated (and by PM himself in my case) when you are looking to buy. I was made to feel like a 2nd class citizen as I'd never owned a Lotus before, there was no interest in actually trying to make the sale, it was, there is the car there and then he walks off, never had a car serviced there, and never will as that was more than enough to make my mind up, if the boss wasn't interested then what was there to make me think his staff were????
Simon G Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 NW and PM cater for different needs, can't see there being a big problem with their relative locations. Always like going to PM's to see the older Loti on show. Perhaps it will give PM the 'kick' it seems to need based on others experience.
Scrappydog Posted July 19, 2004 Posted July 19, 2004 Simon, Big problem I have with PM is the way you get treated (and by PM himself in my case) when you are looking to buy. I was made to feel like a 2nd class citizen as I'd never owned a Lotus before, there was no interest in actually trying to make the sale, it was, there is the car there and then he walks off, never had a car serviced there, and never will as that was more than enough to make my mind up, if the boss wasn't interested then what was there to make me think his staff were???? Mark , If you want to experience "service" try going to Peter Smiths - it redefines the meaning of "can't be arsed" and "lying bastards"!!! My limited experiences of PM were that they were very old-skool but meant well. Went with a friend to by a GT3 and they were very nice to him. Took him out for a test drive - it's a shame they didn't bother to pump up the two flat tyres!! I'm sure it did nothing for the handling Andy
Snapper Posted July 25, 2004 Posted July 25, 2004 Not good news. I was thinking about getting another Lotus, the 111r but living within walking distance of the dealerships current location means that I would have to drive all the way out of Birmingham and then fight to get back in to Birmingham in the rush hour. Then battle my way out again in the rush hour to pick up the car from servicing. Being self employed I would have to take most if not all of a day off just to get the car serviced. As well as thinking about get a new Elise I had also been thinking about getting another Caterham 7 or possibly a Genetta G4 instead, but ruled them out because there is no servicing locally and I had to take days of work when I owned a 7 every time I needed a service or upgrade which cost me a week and a halfs income in my first year of ownership. This made owning an Elise far more favourable. But if I am going to have the same problems it opens up the debate again as to what car I should have. Ok I know that a move like this would benifit some but there must be people driving in to B'ham to work and dropping thier cars off and walking the last bit. I think this is a bad move from a business point of view.
Kris H Posted July 25, 2004 Posted July 25, 2004 Hello Jamie - you're back with us then? Returned from caterham land? I agree with you on the convenience front as well but the point about better roads for testing is certainly true...
Snapper Posted July 25, 2004 Posted July 25, 2004 Hi Kris I have never left... I have a look at the web site ever few weeks or so... How are you keeping? I have had a spell without a sports car since selling my 111s and the Caterham I was after was sold while I was waiting to sell the Lotus. Not found another 7 I have liked at the right price sadley. I drove the new Exige at Donnington on a NW customer day. Sadley I have not warmed to the new Exige which was what I wanted untill I saw it. Its a 111r with fake air scoops and Halford bolt bits. Having missed owning a sports car I thought it was about time I owned one again, especially seeing that I am ament to be going on a sport car trip on September. It looked like I was going as a safety vehicle in the 4x4 for some of my Caterham owning friends........... I might have a bit of a problems keeping up is a Shogun....
Kris H Posted July 25, 2004 Posted July 25, 2004 Have been thinking 111r/caterham/exige as well. Just might be time for a change but far too indecisive to do anything about it at the moment. Are you going to Brunty?
Snapper Posted July 25, 2004 Posted July 25, 2004 Kris its one of them not all of them. (well I can dream) Whats happening at Brunty? Trackday? No Car at the moment....
GCCK Posted July 26, 2004 Posted July 26, 2004 hi Jamie Think you'll find that NW will have a highly organised collect & return plan for precisely people like you who took advantage of their central location. Brunty. This coming Saturday (31st). Hoping to be the largest ever gathering of Lotuses with Guinness World Records coming to judge. Loads of sideshows, track day, special cars. £20 per car if you pre-register with SELOC (how many can you get in that 4x4?). A must-see if you're still "Lotus curious". Brunty or Bust Graeme
Snapper Posted July 26, 2004 Posted July 26, 2004 Hi G13cck Sadley I will be working on Saturday.... otherwise I could have gotten 4 in it.
Zebedee79 Posted July 26, 2004 Posted July 26, 2004 Working in Brum, and driving down from Matlock the current location is very convenient for me too. However, having spoken to Ian last week I fully understand why they are moving for business reasons. The lure of a modern fully kitted out purpose-built workshop and access to fantastic roads makes sense. I'm sure that they will sort out courtesy cars etc. for those of us who will have to drive back to Brum, and I think that the whole PM issue is a bit of red herring. Their markets are subtly different, and they already have a long-standing relationship. Plus, this gives NW the opportunity to get far more involved in the local Lotus scene, with runs staring from the new site, possible sponsorship of events and maybe even tea and bacon sarnies at the weekend! Just waiting for the invite to the opening bash! John
stupot Posted July 26, 2004 Posted July 26, 2004 The site they are moving to is a world apart from the old dungeon they have operated from. It is a good move all things considered. I have the opposite issue, to drive into Brum, each time for service work etc is a real pain - crawl in, crawl out - and having done it so many times for work, I welcome any move from Brum. Also, hopefully it will kill off PM working on anything newer than a 72 Sprint Elan......!!! Have done a few deals over the years, Caterham, Sunbeam, Elan etc...and he is a tw@t. Unless you are fifty, you are considered stupid for wanting or owning a Lotus. Heard his comments once to one of his staff, whilst I was there looking at a car, about some gents who pulled up. They had enquired about 60k Service on an Esprit. PM's view when they said ok, we shall give you a call was, you too young and can't afford to run the car. My take on it was, if you had at least been polite, they may have booked a service you to$$er. His attitude sucks, his staff generally appear ok, but as to their skills......leave something to be desired.
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